UFC Fight Night 265 features a must-watch flyweight battle between former title challenger Alex Perez and rising Kazakh contender Asu Almabayev. Both fighters combine high-level wrestling with dangerous submission skills, setting the stage for a fast and technical matchup with major ranking implications.
Alex Perez
Alex Perez (24–9) is a long-established UFC veteran and former flyweight title challenger. He brings constant pressure, powerful low kicks, sharp boxing, and strong wrestling into every fight. Perez has earned victories over elite opposition and has shown the ability to finish with both strikes and submissions. His best work comes when he blends fast combinations with timely takedowns, where his top game becomes a threat and his guillotine choke is one of the most dangerous in the division. Although he has recent losses against high-level opponents, Perez bounced back with a knockout of Matheus Nicolau before suffering a submission defeat to Tatsuro Taira.
Alex Perez – Last 5 Fights:
* Loss vs. Tatsuro Taira, TKO (Leg Injury), UFC on ESPN 64, Mar 23, 2025
* Win vs. Matheus Nicolau, KO (Punch), UFC Fight Night 251, Feb 15, 2025
* Loss vs. Muhammad Mokaev, Decision (Unanimous), UFC 289
* Loss vs. Alexandre Pantoja, Submission (Neck Crank), UFC 277
* Loss vs. Deiveson Figueiredo, Submission (Guillotine Choke), UFC 255
Keys: Perez performs best when he establishes forward pressure early with low kicks and aggressive wrestling. His clearest path is using striking to force Almabayev backward, then turning exchanges into takedowns and hunting his signature guillotine. Avoiding extended scrambles and defensive lapses on the ground is crucial against a submission artist like Almabayev.
Asu Almabayev
Asu Almabayev (22–3) is the top flyweight prospect from Kazakhstan and is currently ranked number eight. His style is built on world-class wrestling, sharp submission setups, and relentless cardio. Almabayev has scored important wins over Matheus Nicolau, Jose Johnson, C. J. Vergara, and Ode' Osbourne. He balances aggressive takedowns with heavy top control and looks to set up the rear naked choke whenever he takes the back. His only UFC loss came against Manel Kape, but he recovered with a disciplined decision win over Jose Ochoa. Almabayev is experienced, composed, and hard to break over three rounds.
Asu Almabayev – Last 5 Fights:
* Win vs. Jose Ochoa, Decision (Unanimous), UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. De Ridder, Jul 26, 2025
* Loss vs. Manel Kape, TKO (Retirement), UFC Fight Night 253, Mar 1, 2025
* Win vs. Matheus Nicolau, Decision (Unanimous), UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs. Pereira, Oct 19, 2024
* Win vs. Jose Johnson, Decision (Unanimous), UFC on ESPN: Perez vs. Taira, Jun 15, 2024
* Win vs. C. J. Vergara, Decision (Unanimous), UFC 299, Mar 9, 2024
Keys: Almabayev is at his best when he uses his superior wrestling to limit Perez’s offense, maintain top pressure, and hunt submission openings. He must stay alert for Perez’s guillotine and avoid taking clean shots during early striking exchanges. If Almabayev creates long grappling sequences or secures the back, he holds a clear technical advantage.
Fight Breakdown
This matchup highlights the contrast between Perez’s aggressive wrestling and Almabayev’s composed, methodical grappling. Perez can score early with calf kicks and well-timed takedowns, but Almabayev’s defensive fundamentals allow him to match those transitions. Scrambles and top control will decide the closest rounds, and the fighter who converts positions without falling into submission traps will gain the upper hand. Perez has more power on the feet, although Almabayev’s measured approach and steady work rate can neutralize wild exchanges.
Prediction
Expect tightly contested scrambles throughout the fight. Perez is likely to threaten early, but Almabayev’s consistent pressure, submission awareness, and strong wrestling should carry him through the later rounds.
Prediction: Asu Almabayev defeats Alex Perez by Unanimous Decision
A win places Almabayev on the doorstep of title contention, while Perez can reclaim elite status with an upset over one of the division’s fastest-rising grapplers.